Alternative to Mulberry Anthony bag - help please!

[soupdragon321]

Hello Fashionistas, my DH bought me a tan Mulberry Anthony bag for my 40th (many ahem) years ago, and I have used it practically everyday. It's a great size and takes a good old bashing - fits all my day to day crap in it yet still looks 'good' iyknim. But, it's now getting to the point where I really do need a new bag, but I don't want to fork out £3-400 for a bag, but I do still want one that has recognisable style. It must be cross body and it must be slouchy but sturdy and take a lot of stick. It must not have lots of bells and whistles - simple and stylish is the key. I don't mind natural, or colour such as burgundy, navy, dark green etc - nothing out too 'out there'. There seems to be a lot of 'structured' cross body bags on the market and I'm at a loss - have been searching for ages! Can anybody help? There are some brands I really don't like - such as Fossil or Radley - they are just not 'me'. Happy to go without a designer name tag and happy to spend up to £200 on something amazing. Can anyone help? I know you lovely ladies know your bags!!

I bought a leather cross bag from John Lewis men's sections. It's fantastic and only cost me less than £60.
It's well made, deep, and really comfy to wear across the body.

This one from Osprey any good? www.ospreylondon.com/the-small-watson-leather-satchel-cognac

Marc by Marc Jacobs are lovely quality and now in the Mulberry zone as yours was (I am similar vintage and have the Anthony too!!). Mulberry have doubled in price since then.

Another option is to go to a designer resale store which is where I am planning to buy my next bag, after scanning the shops in the sales to see all the stuff I like is still in the 700+++ range (way to spendy for me) and I get to be on trend in an environmentally friendly way.

If it has stood the test of time and you have really got your money's worth, it maybe worth investing in it again. A cheaper one may not last. X

I think the issue is that I'd like something that does not look like the Anthony as I fancy a change, but it has to be robust and as easy to wear as the Anthony. I literally do not think about it 'going with' any outfit I wear - I just sling it on. I quite like the style of this one but not really the colour www.ospreylondon.com/sale/women/bags/the-stella-leather-hobo-oxblood as it;s a bit 'yes I am wearing a red bag' but I like the fact its slouchy and can be cross body plus it looks roomy but not too big. Argh - you see my predicament - I am an old fusspot! I'm basically a jeans and trainers girl who needs a decent quality everyday bag!

I would look at Toast. They had some lovely bags last I looked (which to be fair was about six months ago). The bag I have from them is excellent quality, really good thick leather, and looks better the more I use it.

www.toa.st/uk/category/womens+bags+and+belts/womens+bags+and+belts.htm

I've just got this in navy and love it.

uk.coach.com/coach-prairie-satchel/58874.html?cgid=sale-women-bags&dwvar_color=LINAV#gclid=EAIaIQobChMInrXbs8bn5gIVCLLtCh2syQzrEAAYASAAEgK7XvD_BwE&cgid=sale-women-bags&start=5

I have just bought the coach bag above too!

Coach bags are fab. They’ve got a sale on atm too. I love the prairie satchel but find if I overload it then it’s too heavy & the strap digs in. I think the Antony benefits from a wider strap so this doesn’t happen. Have you looked at demiller. The Venice is gorgeous.

This is beautiful too

uk.coach.com/coach-sutton-hobo/35593.html?cgid=sale-women-bags&dwvar_color=GDPEC&index=56#hp=text_sale_banner_shop_bags&cgid=sale-women-bags&start=56

Oh yes, I have a prairie satchel. Love it

That Osprey Stella bag you like comes in grey too, OP. I have a grey Mulberry and it goes with everything.

Have you looked at Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier Hobo ?

www.collenandclare.com/woman-c129/bags-c20/crossbody-bags-c29/coach-kitt-crossbody-bag-in-oxblood-p24545/s152025?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=coach-kitt-crossbody-bag-in-oxblood-colour-oxblood-size-uk-os-colour-oxblood-size-uk-os-23240-1533866&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=CjwKCAiA6bvwBRBbEiwAUER6JQdYM1s5KzNy_a4sOXKSzzVbE3jXCzqM3tRT-yoBY7VXnFoBMQxxTRoCq44QAvD_BwE

This comes in three colours.

www.lkbennett.com/product/BSBELLASMOOTHLEATHERBlackBlack~Bella-Black-Leather-Shoulder-Bag-Black

I like the prairie when the sides are down (ie when it’s being used by the handle) but not when the cross body strap is up. Plus the strap looks very slim - like it would dig into shoulder if anything slightly substantial was in the bag. Similar issue with the other coach bag too I think strictly?

Also human, I think that lk bag is a bit more like what I’m looking for- something a bit different. Unfortunately it looks a little small for my needs and also not sure the clasp would hold, but thank you for showing me!

I thought Marc by Marc Jacobs folded a few years ago?

Here’s something a bit different - Elvis & Kresse make bags from rescued firehose and Burberry leather offcuts.

www.elvisandkresse.com/collections/women/products/fire-hide-reporter-bag

Thanks but a bit too out there for me. You can see why I’m struggling!

It’s ok, I know what you mean! Although I like the idea of them, and have been tempted to buy something from the range, in reality they’re a little ugly with dodgy colour combinations

No problem. I’ve got an LKB bag and they’re really well made. But if it’s not big enough, it’s no good. It’s really hard when you know exactly what you want.

@soupdragon321 yes possibly although it has a wider shorter shoulder strap you could use. It is quite a large bag though so would be easy to overfill.

I have an Anthony too which I love but also have the coach bag up thread and although the strap is thinner it doesn't dig in at all. I'm using this far more than the Anthony just lately, really love it.

Have you tried a preloved bag site for another Antony?

www.luxurylabels.co.uk is good,
or www.labelsmostwanted.com or NPN bags?